Friday, June 10, 2022

Dear friend, 

This Thursday, June 16th, at 6pm my office will host a panel discussion about the importance of voting. Guest include Arina van Breda, the Director of Voter Registration at the League of Woman Voters Fairfax Area and Anthony Britt, Chairperson of the Voter Registration, Education, and Mobilization Committee from the Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. 

Our conversation will include a brief educational presentation on need-to-know information for voters, including key election dates, absentee voting, and updates due to redistricting. The program will include a Q&A segment where we will answer your questions about voting and elections in Fairfax County. 

Please email your questions to leedist@fairfaxcounty.gov. We will also be monitoring the chat box during the event and responding to questions as they are submitted.

Register for the live program here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mK68VJu-Q0eJ0MGggKS8gg

The webinar will also be broadcast live on Facebook.  

In Spanish:

El jueves 16 de junio, a las 6pm mi oficina organizará una discusión sobre la importance de votar. Los invitados incluyen Arina van Breda, la Directora de Registro de la Liga de Mujeres Votantes Fairfax y Anthony Britt Presidente del comité registro de votantes, educación, y movilización del Capitulo Psi Alpha Alpha de Omega Psi Phi fraternidad Inc.

Nuestra conversación incluirá una breve presentación educativa sobre la información necesaria para los votantes, como las fechas clave de las elecciones, la votación en ausencia, y las actualizaciones debido a la redistribución de distritos.

Envíe sus preguntas por correo electrónico con anticipación a leedist@fairfaxcounty.gov. También estaremos monitoreando las redes sociales y el chat del seminario web durante el evento y respondiendo a las preguntas a medida que se envíen.

Mirelo en Zoom con interpretacion al español. Regístrese para el programa en vivo aquí: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mK68VJu-Q0eJ0MGggKS8gg

As part of her series of meetings with the Chambers of Commerce in our region, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears requested a walkthrough of the Workforce Innovation Skills Hub (W.I.S.H.)

During our tour, I emphasized the goals of the W.I.S.H., which include:

1. Ensuring an entry salary of at least $21 per hour for program graduates.
2. Exposing students from diverse demographic and economic backgrounds to new and emerging technology.
3. Attracting technology companies to invest in Southeast Fairfax County.

Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears and I also discussed future opportunities for collaboration and possible funding for workforce development efforts at the W.I.S.H. and throughout Fairfax County.

As we continue to bolster our workforce in the Historic Richmond Highway region, I invite anyone at the local, state, and federal levels to learn more about the W.I.S.H. and the work we are doing to ensure sustainable and equitable growth for the residents in our District.

P.S. Six early voting sites will be open this Saturday, June 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Any registered voter in the 8th Congressional District may vote early in the Democratic primary election on June 21. 

Next week is the last week for early voting — and all six locations will be open from Monday to Saturday, June 18. 

More information: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/early-voting?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR1YIaT9yt_o7eRbzCMQFM1vAMbRWF97gGHDlDDVP0g0uTcxuMWMjDWL4Uw

Please contact my office if we can assist you.

1. Supervisor Lusk in the News
2. Gun Buyback Program
3. Supervisor Lusk in the Community
4. FC Board of Supervisors Proclaim June 2022 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month
5. FC Department of Transportation Paving and Restriping Meeting 
6. Your Guide to Summer 2022 in Fairfax County
7. "Locally Poured:" Your Digital Passport to County Breweries and Wineries
8. Inova Franconia-Springfield Hospital Update
9. Community Spotlight: Meg's Giveback Christmas in July
10. How to Dispose of Your Unused or Expired Medications
11. Combating Opioid Epidemic
12. Need a Covid-19 Vaccine or Booster?
13. COVID-19 Resources

Supervisor Lusk in the News

Uvalde shooting prompts calls in Northern Virginia for stronger gun laws

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/06/07/uvalde-shooting-fairfax-county-gun-laws/

By Antonio Oliva, Washington Post

“Fellow board member Rodney L. Lusk (D-Lee) said any effort to prevent the loss of someone’s life by gun violence is worth it."

"Lusk sponsored a separate motion that the board also approved, directing the county staff to study how to take more firearms out of circulation through a county gun-buyback program…"

“If we can get even one gun off the street that would prevent one death, we’ve done something important,” Lusk said.”

Thank you to the Washington Post for putting a spotlight on our Board’s efforts to prevent tragedy, not react to it. More information on the potential gun Fairfax County gun buyback program is in the next section. 

Black Home Buyers Treated Less Favorably By Lenders In Fairfax: Report:

https://patch.com/virginia/fairfaxcity/black-home-buyers-treated-less-favorably-lenders-fairfax-report

By Michael O'Connell, Patch

Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk, who is the board's sole Black member, supported the measure and acknowledged that some in the community needed to be made aware that these types of practices continue.

"This should not be happening," he said. "This is horrible. It makes my stomach turn to even talk about it. We have a duty to intervene." 

Gun Buyback Program

Last week, I spoke at the Moms Demand Action Wear Orange rally and committed to do everything in my power as a Fairfax County Supervisor to curb the epidemic of gun violence and tragedy in our communities.



Firearm deaths across our country are up approximately 13.5%. However, deaths among children and adolescents are up a staggering 30%, making gun violence the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 1 and 19.

Already the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has:

• Successfully advocated for the Emergency Substantial Risk Order (Red Flag Law)
• Banned firearms in County buildings, parks, and special events

However, much more can be done to address gun violence. Today, I introduced a Board Matter that instructs the County Executive to conduct a review of gun buyback programs across the United States.

When a gun owner chooses to make their home gun-free, their options for disposing of their firearms are often not readily apparent or limited to a private sale. This presents a host of risks and challenges as private gun sales in Virginia only require that the purchaser be a state resident and either 18 or 21 years of age, depending on the type of firearm.

The review will culminate in a presentation to the Public Safety Committee this calendar year. It will include recommendations for the Board to consider regarding the establishment of a voluntary gun buyback program in Fairfax County.

While no one policy can prevent all gun violence, gun buyback programs are one potential option that I feel should be explored to reduce the risk of gun violence in our County.

Supervisor Lusk in the Community

Supporting United Community

I am happy to share that my office, along with Fairfax County Facilities Management and Land Development Services, helped United Community acquire new refrigerator and freezer units for their food pantry! The new additions will double their cold storage capacity.

In 2021, United Community served 6,984 residents experiencing food insecurity with their food pantry and mobile distribution events. Thank you, United Community, for always going above and beyond to serve our community.

George Mason's 2022 Community Partnership Forum

I had the pleasure of attending the 2022 Community Partnership Forum at George Mason University's Arlington Campus. The forum focused on the new world of work, with its changing workforce and workplace issues.

Thank you, George Mason University, for inviting me to speak and the guest speakers for the engaging and insightful conversation.

6th Annual ConnerStrong Foundation Golf Tournament

My office had the honor of sponsoring a hole during the 6th Annual ConnerStrong Foundation Golf Tournament. Started in 2017 as a tribute to Conner Worosz, the game of golf was a way to raise funds to support their mission about mental health awareness and suicide prevention while enjoying the game that Conner was passionate about.

Learn More: https://connerstrongfoundation.org/

FC Board of Supervisors Proclaim June 2022 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month

On June 7th, the Board of Supervisors proclaimed June 2022 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

I urge all county residents, employees, and elected officials to celebrate our LGBTQ+ community and to stand up, speak out and show support for those who face prejudice and discrimination.

FC Department of Transportation Paving and Restriping Meeting

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will hold a second paving and restriping meeting focused on two proposed bike lanes and marked crosswalks in Lee District on Wednesday, June 15, at 6 p.m. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/news/t12_22/

Thank you to the Virginia Department of Transportation and Fairfax County Transportation for bringing these important transportation improvements to the forefront this year.

Here are the proposed restriping projects we will be discussing:

Farmington Drive: FCDOT and VDOT are proposing to add a bike lane and shared street markings between Telegraph Road and Edgehill Drive

Fordson Road: FCDOT and VDOT are proposing to add bike lanes between Richmond Highway and Mount Vernon Plaza. The proposal would restrict most on-street parking south of Cyrene Boulevard. Existing on-street parking as well as the commercial vehicle parking restrictions will remain north of Cyrene Boulevard. New crosswalks across Fordson Road are proposed at Cyrene Boulevard and at the McDonald’s/Mount Vernon Plaza entrance.

Attend the Meeting: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/news/t12_22/

Dial In: 571-429-5982; Conference ID: 380 568 299#

Your Guide to Summer 2022 in Fairfax County

QUICK SUMMARY

• Explore water! Pools, splash parks, lakes and more (but note health advisory about local streams).
• Get the new Family Adventure Pass for our parks.
• Summer Entertainment Series features 180+ performances at 18 venues.
• Make southern Fairfax County a staycation -- check out Potomac Banks.
• Keep reading with the Summer Reading Adventure.
• Hunger doesn't take a vacation - learn about summer meals for kids. 

Details: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/guide-to-summer-2022

"Locally Poured:" Your Digital Passport to County Breweries and Wineries

This guide offers discounts and prizes for visiting local breweries and wineries. The digital passport is easy to download to your mobile device.

Details: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/locally-poured-your-digital-passport-county-breweries-and-wineries#:~:text=The%20Locally%20Poured%20Field%20Guide,and%20prizes%20for%20checking%20in.

Inova Franconia-Springfield Hospital Update

Inova hosted a virtual community meeting on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, to update the community on the proposed hospital project and answer questions.

A recording of the meeting and the presentation can be found here: https://www.inova.org/springfieldhospital. The presentation begins at the 21:15 mark of the video. Public hearings before the Fairfax County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors are scheduled for this summer.

Community Spotlight: Meg's Giveback Christmas in July

Lee District resident Meg Gallagher started Meg's Giveback, an organization dedicated to “giving back a little childhood” to kids with cancer. Meg’s Giveback offers some moments of joy and happiness by giving gifts from toy drives to children while they are in the hospital. As a former cancer patient herself, giving back to kids in the hospital during the holidays is very important to Meg.

From Meg's Giveback:

"We are in the process of putting together our Christmas in July delivery!!! This year has been especially exciting because we’ve had some pretty awesome people share our Amazon wishlist. And A LOT of packages have showed up to our house in the last few days! Today the delivery driver had to back in to our driveway to unload everything.

The wishlist is linked below in case you wanted to make a donation! Thank you all for your continued support towards this growing foundation!

All my love!!!"

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/YW5QFF1DJ57T?ref_=wl_share

To learn more about Meg and Meg's Giveback, visit megsgiveback.com or email megsgiveback@gmail.com

Thank you Meg for all of your amazing work!

How to Dispose of Your Unused or Expired Medications

Methods:

• Permanent Dropboxes
• Drug Deactivation Kit
• Dispose at Home

Protect your family from potential msuse; protect our environment, rivers and stream.

Details: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/how-dispose-your-unused-or-expired-medications

Combating Opioid Epidemic

The opioid epidemic continues to impact our nation. A growing area of concern here in Fairfax County is fatal and nonfatal overdoses involving youth.

Learn:

Signs of Overdose

Substance Abuse Services/Hotlines

Dangers of Fentanyl

Details: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/opioids-learn-how-get-help-and-prevent-overdoses

Need a COVID-19 Vaccine or Booster?

Need a COVID-19 vaccine or booster dose?

Vaccines are available in the community and from the Fairfax County Department of Health.

Details: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus/vaccine/registration